Dear Experts,

My boss asked if I could stay late tomorrow and work on a project. I normally don’t mind putting in the extra hours but there’s a good chance the extra work will overlap with the Miami Heat game which I have tickets for. I bought these tickets weeks ago and I haven’t been to a game in a couple years.

Is it alright to say “no” to my boss? If so, what’s the best way to go about turning him down? Or, could I agree to stay late but only till a certain time?

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Here is how our CAREEREALISM-Approved Experts answered this question on Twitter:

Q#368 Maybe offer to come to work early to make up the time you can’t spend after work? (@gradversity)

Q#368 Boss asked me to stay late. Stay as close to game time as possible: http://bit.ly/3SSe5e. (@ravingredhead)

Q#368 Stay as late as you can and explain that you have tix – will come in extra early to finish. (@DebraWheatman)

Q#368 Say “of course I’ll stay as late as possible and come in early to finish, because I have tix 2 game.” @juliaerickson)

Q#368 Ask to stay until X time and then come in early the following day. At least ASK! (@beneubanks)

Q#368 Tell boss ASAP about tixs. Ask what can be done now & earlier tomorrow to minimize need for overtime. (@jtodonnell)

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